Development of a prognostic nomogram and risk stratification system for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing definitive radiotherapy: a multicenter retrospective analysis (3JECROG R-03 A).

Background: Our goal is to develop a nomogram model to predict overall survival (OS) for elderly esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients receiving definitive radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), aiding clinicians in personalized treatment planning with a risk stratification system.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 718 elderly ESCC patients treated with RT or CRT at 10 medical centers (3JECROG) from January 2004 to November 2016. We identified independent prognostic factors using univariate and multifactorial Cox regression to construct a nomogram model.

The trunk segmental motion complexity and balance performance in challenging seated perturbation among individuals with spinal cord injury.

Background: Motion complexity is necessary for adapting to external changes, but little is known about trunk motion complexity during seated perturbation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). We aimed to investigate changes following SCI in trunk segmental motion complexity across different perturbation directions and how they affect postural control ability in individuals with SCI.

Methods: A total of 17 individuals with SCI and 18 healthy controls participated in challenging sagittal-seated perturbations with hand protection.

Gender differences in acute and perceived stress, bullying, and academic motivation among nursing and midwifery students.

Background: College-aged students are at risk for experiencing negative events that may influence their future health and life. Those negative events or stressors may vary in type and severity. Stress and bullying are prevalent among nursing students that may affect their academic motivation.

Detection and identification of Naegleria species along with Naegleria fowleri in the tap water samples.

Naegleria fowleri, the causative agent of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is commonly found in warm freshwater environments and can enter the brain through nasal passages during activities like swimming or ablution. PAM has a high fatality rate, raising concerns about its global health impact. In Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, a significant number of cases have been reported, often with no history of recreational water exposure, but with regular ablution using tap water.

Subgroups of cognitive impairments in schizophrenia characterized by executive function and their morphological features: a latent profile analysis study.

Background: The heterogeneity of cognitive impairments in schizophrenia has been widely observed. However, reliable cognitive boundaries to differentiate the subgroups remain elusive. The key challenge for cognitive subtyping is applying an integrated and standardized cognitive assessment and understanding the subgroup-specific neurobiological mechanisms.

Effectiveness of an environmental educational program on intern dentists' knowledge and practices regarding eco-friendly green dentistry: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: The dental industry is associated with significant environmental impacts so there is a growing need for eco-friendly practices in dentistry. This study aimed to assess dental interns' knowledge and practices regarding eco-friendly dentistry before and after the implementation of the environmental educational program.

Methods: An interventional quasi-experimental study (one group pre-test-post-test design) was conducted on 69 intern dentists at the Faculty of Dentistry Alexandria University.

Beliefs and attitudes of Syrian refugee mothers in Lebanon regarding children vaccination: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Vaccines have contributed to the disappearance of various diseases, and almost eradicated others across the world. Studies have shown that in Lebanon a profoundly small percentage of Syrian refugee children were fully immunized by routine vaccination services. Exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of parents towards vaccination is of crucial importance, given the role of parents in children's immunization.

Effect of different protocols in preventing demineralization in irradiated human enamel, in vitro study.

Background: This in vitro study evaluated the efficacy of professional and home-use fluoride regimens for protecting irradiated enamel, undergoing pH cycling resembling xerostomia.

Methods: Sixty human premolar teeth were irradiated with a total dose of 70 Gy and subsequently sectioned into 3 × 3 cm enamel slabs. These slabs were randomly distributed into five groups (n = 12 per group): professional-use groups received fluoride varnish either weekly (FV1) or biweekly (FV2); home-use groups applied 5000 ppm (FT5) or 1450 ppm (FT) fluoride toothpaste; and a control group (control) received no treatment.

Low L3 skeletal muscle index and endometrial cancer: a statistic pooling analysis.

Objective: Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the gradual decline of muscle mass, strength, and function, is a key indicator of malnutrition in cancer patients and has been linked to poor prognoses in oncology. Sarcopenia is commonly assessed by measuring the skeletal muscle index (SMI) of the third lumbar spine (L3) using computed tomography (CT). This meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship between low SMI and clinicopathological features, as well as prognosis, in individuals with endometrial cancer (EC).

Families' opinions about their involvement in care during hospitalization: a mixed-methods study.

Background: Healthcare professionals in the hospital setting frequently assume primary caregiving responsibilities, which often leads family members to perceive this as standard practice during hospitalization. This dynamic may create a gap between actual and desired levels of family involvement. The aim of this study is to explore the opinions of families about their involvement in care during the hospitalization of a relative.

Astaxanthin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles inhibit survival of MKN-45 gastric cancer cell line by modulating JAK2/STAT3/mTOR/PI3K pathway.

Background/aims: Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant global health issue with high incidence rates and poor prognoses, ranking among the top prevalent cancers worldwide. Due to undesirable side effects and drug resistance, there is a pressing need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Understanding the interconnectedness of the JAK2/STAT3/mTOR/PI3K pathway in tumorigenesis and the role of Astaxanthin (ASX), a red ketocarotenoid member of xanthophylls and potent antioxidant and anti-tumor activity, can be effective for cancer treatments.

Feasibility of teleyoga for people with post COVID-19 condition- a mixed method design.

Background: Evidence about rehabilitation of post COVID-19 condition is scarce. Yoga has been found beneficial in other chronic conditions and can be delivered in a digital format at home. The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of teleyoga in persons with post COVID-19 condition by assessing adherence, safety, limited efficacy and experiences.

Parental acceptance of school-based universal depression screening for children and adolescents in primary and secondary school in China.

Introduction: School-based universal depression screening (SBUDS) is an effective method for early identification of depression. As parents are the primary decision-makers for their children's acceptance of healthcare services, this study aims to examine rural and urban parental acceptance of SBUDS.

Methods: The study assessed parental acceptance of SBUDS for their children and its association with self-reported parental perception of depression (i.

Effects of home bleaching agents on hybrid ceramics: mechanical properties and color change.

Background: Home bleaching is a promising option for addressing discolored teeth conservatively. However, its impact on the physical and mechanical properties of indirect restorations remains unknown. This study provides comparative insights into the material responses to aesthetic treatments by assessing the effects of home bleaching agents on two hybrid ceramics: VITA ENAMIC and Grandio Blocs.

The associations between the energy and timing of sugar-sweetened beverage intake and phenotypic age acceleration in U.S. adults: a cross-sectional survey of NHANES 2007-2010.

Objectives: The relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between the energy and timing of SSB intake and PhenoAgeAccel in adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010, which involved U.

Perceived wildfire risk and past experiences with wildfire smoke influence public support for prescribed burning in the western conterminous United States.

Background: Prescribed burning is an important fuel management tool to prevent severe wildfires. There is a pressing need to increase its application to reduce dry fuels in the western United States, a region that has experienced many damaging wildfires. Public support for this practice is tempered by concern around smoke impacts and escape risks.

Time Tetris: a longitudinal study on compressed schedules and workplace well-being at IKEA.

Background: Compressed schedules, where workers perform longer daily hours to enjoy additional days off, are increasingly promoted as a workplace well-being intervention. Nevertheless, their implications for work-related well-being outcomes, such as recovery from work and burnout risk, are understudied. This gap leaves employers with little evidence on whether and how the arrangement contributes to workplace well-being.

Dysregulated tryptophan metabolism contributes to metabolic syndrome in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Background: As the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) rises among older adults, the associated risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes significantly increase, and it is closely linked to various metabolic processes in the body. Dysregulation of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism, particularly alterations in the kynurenine (KYN) and serotonin pathways, has been linked to the onset of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, key contributors to the development of MetS. We aim to investigate the relationship between the TRP metabolites and the risk of MetS in older adults.

Factors influencing malnutrition among adolescent girls in The Gambia: a mixed-methods exploratory study.

Background: In The Gambia, existing research to understand and address malnutrition among adolescent girls is limited. Prior to the conduct of large-scale studies, formative research is needed. The aim of this mixed methods, cross-sectional study was to explore cultural contexts relevant to nutritional status, feasibility and appropriateness of recruitment and data collection methods (questionnaires and anthropometric measures), and plausibility of data collected.

The integrated teaching practice of medical cloud dictionary development and project-based learning.

Objective: This study examines a novel teaching model that integrates the development and use of a Medical Cloud Dictionary with project-based learning (PBL). We investigate whether this integrated approach improves teaching effectiveness, enhances student learning outcomes, and reduces teaching pressure compared to traditional PBL.

Methods: One hundred student volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50).

Evaluation of One Step Nucleic Acid Amplification for detection of lymph node metastases compared to histopathological ultrastaging in women with endometrial cancer: a protocol for a diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: This is a multicentre, European, prospective trial evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of One Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) compared to sentinel lymph nodes histopathological ultrastaging in endometrial cancer patients.

Methods: Centres with expertise in sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer patients in Europe will be invited to participate in the study. Participating units will be trained on the correct usage of the OSNA RD-210 analyser and nucleic acid amplification reagent kit LYNOAMP CK19 E for rapid detection of metastatic nodal involvement, based on the cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA detection.

Feasibility of occlusal plane in predicting the changes in anteroposterior mandibular position: a comprehensive analysis using deep learning-based three-dimensional models.

Background: A comprehensive analysis of the occlusal plane (OP) inclination in predicting anteroposterior mandibular position (APMP) changes is still lacking. This study aimed to analyse the relationships between inclinations of different OPs and APMP metrics and explore the feasibility of OP inclination in predicting changes in APMP.

Methods: Overall, 115 three-dimensional (3D) models were reconstructed using deep learning-based cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) segmentation, and their accuracy in supporting cusps was compared with that of intraoral scanning models.

Correlation analysis of DLG5 and PD-L1 expression in triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is among the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, characterized by a dismal prognosis. In the absence of drug-targetable receptors, chemotherapy remains the sole systemic treatment alternative. Recent advancements in immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that target programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), have provided renewed optimism for the treatment of patients with TNBC.